Date Archive
Moral and Spiritual Fasting
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March 18, 2024
- Posted by: admin
Introduction :
Being a part of the E-aalim series of books on fasting, book two tackles the spiritual fasting in Islam. On this occasion, Ramadan and fasting are a season of worship. Muslims enjoy this season. Interestingly, Children like to participate and take part in such a spiritual season. Children like to imitate the elderly people. Therefore, children are keen on fasting. It is the role of the elders to train and encourage kids and juniors to fast. Kids and juniors experience new feelings in Ramadan. Overall, the atmosphere is totally different for them. The daily routine changes. A Muslim alters their usual timetable and routine. Usual timetable of the three daily meals.. Instead of the morning meal, breakfast, the family wakes up late at night for suhoor. Parents and older family members are more keen on performing the fajr prayer in the mosque. Of course, there is no lunchtime meal. Kids don’t see the elderly people eat or drink in the daytime of Ramadan. The whole family eagerly waits for and looks forward to al-Maghrib to have their breakfast.
The spiritual atmosphere in Ramadan:
Spiritually, In Ramadan, Muslims look more like angels. During their fasting time, some Muslims perform their prayers. Others read and recite the Holy Quran. Moreover, some others just sit holding their rosaries mentioning Allah. A Muslim discipline their etiquette more in Ramadan. Consequently, To preserve their fasting, Muslims shouldn’t yell or shout. A Muslim should be self-controlled. They shouldn’t use foul or bad words. They should watch their language. Hence, the less angry a Muslim is, the better their fasting is. Indeed, Ramadan and fasting is a school in which Muslims enhance their conduct and morals. This way, truly Muslims reach the degree and virtue of piety. Ramadan and fasting is a practical and educational institute in which Muslims upgrade their conduct and manners.
The conditions of fasting :
Basically, fasting is a physical and spiritual Ibada. Islam requires a Muslim who has reached the age of puberty to fast. However, there are certain conditions for a Muslim to be able to fast. Mainly, a Muslim must be adult and mature. This is clear by a Muslim reaching the age of puberty. Of course, kids and juniors can fast. Scholars consider this as a good training for them when they grow up. It is generally hard for a person who hasn’t trained to fast in their childhood to be able to fast when they are grown ups. A Muslim must be healthy and physically capable to endure fasting. Islam is the religion of ease and mercy. Too ill Muslims are not required to fast. Instead, they can either feed other fasting poor muslims or compensate by fasting the missed days of fasting when they regain their health.
The nullifiers of fasting :
Fasting is an Ibada dedicated only to Allah. A Muslim dedicates all their good deeds for Allah. Islam is the religion of monotheism. Monotheism is to dedicate one’s worship only to Allah. Therefore, A Muslim should be keen on perfecting their fasting. This can be done by avoiding all the nullifiers of fasting. Obscene language spoils one’s fasting. Backbiting nullifies a Muslim’s fasting. Lying and cheating nullify a Muslim’s fasting. Of course, a Muslim’s fasting is nullified when they eat or drink on purpose during daytime in Ramadan. .
How to preserve one's fasting:
To avoid all these nullifiers of fasting, a Muslim should be busy themselves. A Muslim can read the Holy Quran. A fasting Muslim can attend sessions in which they can recite or listen to the Holy Quran. They can listen to religious lectures or lessons discussing religious topics. A Muslim should mention Allah for a long time during Ramadan. This way, a Muslim’s fasting is pure, sound and perfect. Therefore, a Muslim can get the full reward from Allah for their perfect fasting. Paradise is the only reward for the perfect fasting
The kinds and types of fasting :
In Islam, there are two types of fasting. They are obligatory fasting and voluntary fasting. Obligatory fasting for a Muslim is to fast during the month of Ramadan. It starts on the first day of Ramadan. It ends on the last day of Ramadan. However, there are a lot of occasions on which muslims can voluntarily fast. muslims usually fast for six days directly after the month of Ramadan. A Muslim can fast on Monday and Thursday every week. A Muslim can fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and the fifteenth day of every month. These are the three days on which the moon is full every month. A Muslim can fast on the day of Arafah. A Muslim can volunteer to fast on the tenth of the month of al-Muharram.